For the most part, it’s held up well, but one common quibble is that the seat bottom begins to sag after several years of use. Kalee Thompson is the senior editor heading up Wirecutter’s kid coverage. When she wrote the first version of this guide, Kalee lived in Southern California, where she tested chairs on three group camping trips. Senior editor Kalee Thompson, who wrote a previous version of this guide, has been regularly using the Coleman chair she originally tested in 2016. Aside from the color fading and the cooler pouch deteriorating, her chair has held up to years of backyard hangs and camping trips.
Of the chairs we tested, the Coleman chair was the only one that came with a built-in cooler bag, which can hold four standard-size beer or soda cans. The chair also has the round mesh cupholder found on most chairs of this type. In fall 2023, we asked a panel of paid testers with a wide range of body types, dexterities, and mobilities to examine our picks and other camping chairs and to share their perspectives.
But keep in mind that your kid will eventually outgrow this one. The Chair One has a 600-denier polyester and mesh seat and aluminum legs, which are linked with shock cord (like what you’d find inside high-end tent poles). Despite the Renetto chair’s weight and bulk, our testers found it simple to set up and adjust. If you’re looking for highly specialized or ultra-lightweight chairs for backpacking, our recommendations are probably not for you. We also don’t have suggestions for couch-style or loveseat chairs (we’d like to look at those someday, though). Closed sides keep the wind from blowing through.
With its spacious seat width, this chair also offers more room than any other model we tested. And its backrest extends higher up than those of other chairs; this is nice for taller folks or people who like a good slouch with some head support. These portable chairs are great for camping, sporting events, and backyard BBQs. Plus, they fold up nicely and include convenient carrying cases for easy transport and storage. Moon Lence released a new generation of its Portable Camping Chair; this new version has a redesigned base and more mesh ventilation than its predecessor.
So they felt comfortable leaning onto the frame for extra support. If you’re unsure which camping chair to buy, you can’t go wrong with the classic Coleman Cooler Quad Chair. Stumps, stools, boulders, and picnic tables are fine for sitting briefly outdoors. But if you want to kick back and stay comfy, the right camping chair can make all the difference. Now is the ideal time to plan a hike on the trails, a trek in the woods, or just a general adventure outdoors. When dealing with the elements you need to be prepared.
Keep in mind that lightweight chairs won’t be nearly as comfortable as traditional camping chairs, so take the word comfortable with a grain of salt. Sipping freshly brewed coffee while enjoying the fresh morning air is a necessity for coffee lovers. And the Stanley Adventure French Press coffee maker is designed to tackle this job with added versatility. It can churn out a smooth cup of coffee, as well as cook or boil, making it ideal for everything from soup to hot chocolate.
And it avoids the slouchy shape of most traditional camping chairs, which can sag to create a hunch-and-slouch posture. Testers consistently ranked this chair as one of the most comfortable models (typically second ozark trail canopy to the Yeti Trailhead, which costs almost four times as much). The few testers who didn’t like it often preferred the Kijaro Dual Lock XXL Chair, which costs a little bit more but provides a roomier seat.
It’s made of rip-resistant parachute nylon and easily attaches to trees with two 9-foot straps and carabiners. It has raked in over 42,200 five-star ratings with shoppers who love it for its comfort, its durability, its easy setup, and its convenience. The 4-pound, steel-framed REI chair has an attached carry strap, rather than a carry bag (which the other chairs have). After a couple of camping trips, we concluded that a strap is more convenient than a bag—it’s quicker and easier for a kid to grab the chair and go, without parental help. It has the most comfortable and supportive seat shape of any chair we tested. The Dual Lock chair has a firmer backrest and seat bottom than the competition.
That’s because it’s among the most durable and comfortable chairs we’ve tested. It’s large enough to accommodate a wide range of body types, and its steel frame supports up to 325 pounds. You’ll soon be sleeping under the stars in this camping hammock that’s only $32 right now. This hammock stretches out to 9 feet long and is 4.5 feet wide, so there’s plenty of space for one person to lounge around in.
“[It’s] very good at keeping ice and drinks cold,” writes one shopper who took this cooler when they went camping for three days. This cooler is a great option when you feel the urge to go adventuring. The Chair One is rated to hold up to 320 pounds—more ozark trail backpack than any other lightweight chair we tested aside from the Moon Lence. Testers preferred the Coleman chair’s thoughtfully placed mesh storage pouch over those of its competitors. This pouch is big enough to stow gear like a phone, book, or tablet.